FN America FN 509 Tactical Black and FN 509 Midsize pistols
SHOT Show 2019 – The FN 509 line of 9mm striker-fired semi-automatic pistols from FNH expands further with the launch of a concealed carry-oriented Midsize variant and a black version of the already popular FN 509 Tactical model
First introduced at the 2018 edition of the NSSF SHOT Show, the FN 509 series of pistols from FN America – north American subsidiary of the well-known Belgian conglomerate FN Herstal – is currently the mainstay of the Company's line of handguns. The FN 509 is essentially a commercial version of the design developed by FN to participate to the U.S. Army's MHS (Modular Handgun System) trial that saw the M17 pistol replace the Beretta M9 in U.S. military service.
Built on the proven architecture of the FNS Compact pistol, the FN 509 sustained many internal and external changes to meet the rigorous performance standards of the MHS requirements and was further developed with the help from industry experts. Over the course of development, the platform has been tested extensively for reliability, ammunition compatibility and durability, totaling more than one million rounds.
At the 2019 edition of the SHOT Show, FN America introduced two new variants of the design – thus developing the FN 509 platform into a fully-fledged system.
The FN 509 Midsize is a concealed carry version of the original design, scaled down in overall size and weight (18,8 cm / 7.4" long overall, 779 gr / 27.½ oz heavy when empty) while maintaining the original 9mm Luger chambering and being compatible with all FN 509 magazines; the Midsize variant ships with 15-rounds magazines, but is compatible with the original 17-rounds magazines and even with the FN 509 Tactical's 24-rounders through the use of a sleeve.
FN America dubs the FN 509 Midsize an "ideal combination of a four-inch slide and barrel with a midsize frame" that "retains full-sized pistol performance in an easily-concealed package". The FN 509 Midsize features improved controls for easier manipulation, as well as two included backstraps with likewise improved texturing allowing better recoil management to shooters of any hand size. A new flatter faced trigger allows for more controllable trigger press and cleaner break.
FN 509 Tactical Black pistol
FN 509 Midsize pistol
Last, the Company also announced that the now well-established Tactical version of the FN 509 will be made available in a full black variant within the year.
The FN 509 Tactical Black is a more direct extension of the Company's submission pistol to the U.S. Army's MHS program, albeit modified and improved with features such as FN’s patent-pending Low-Profile Optics Mounting System – enabling the platform to accept more than ten commercially-available miniature red dot optics (MRDOs) that co-witness with the suppressor-height night sights and remain adaptable to future optics releases with no requirement of direct milling of the slide. The slide cap, for use when not shooting with an optic, has raised sight wings that protect iron sight alignment if the pistol is dropped or jostled, and provides a textured ramp for racking the slide against a belt loop, pant pocket or boot.
An FN-signature 4.5-inch, cold hammer-forged, stainless-steel barrel with target crown, ½” x 28 threads that accept the bulk of 9mm suppressors available and thread cap with integrated O-ring to prevent loosening during use complete the top end. Lastly, 24-round extended magazines – nearly identical in length to the pistol’s slide – maximize ammunition capacity without impacting carry convenience.
